The Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra Is Big, Bold And Boring
Feb 03, 2025 - forbes.com
The Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra represents an evolutionary step in Samsung's flagship lineup, focusing on AI-powered features rather than significant hardware upgrades. While it boasts a refined design with a lighter build and a superior 6.9-inch AMOLED display, the phone's flat sides and sharp edges may affect grip comfort. The device emphasizes AI enhancements like AI Select and Now Bar, which aim to improve user experience, though some features remain inconsistent. The new Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite SoC offers improved camera quality and battery life, but the phone retains the same storage, RAM, and camera specifications as its predecessor. The S Pen's functionality has been reduced, removing Bluetooth features, which may disappoint some users.
Priced at $1,300, the Galaxy S25 Ultra is less groundbreaking than previous models, focusing on incremental improvements rather than pushing boundaries. It offers excellent display quality, fast performance, and all-day battery life, making it suitable for business professionals who value productivity. However, its reliance on AI features, which are still a work in progress, and the lack of exclusive innovations may diminish its appeal compared to earlier Galaxy Ultra models.
Key takeaways:
The Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra focuses on AI-powered features over significant hardware upgrades, making it feel more evolutionary than revolutionary.
The phone features a refined design with a 6.9-inch AMOLED display, but its flat sides and sharp edges may affect grip comfort.
AI features like AI Select and Now Bar enhance user experience, but some, like Now Brief and Gemini, are still inconsistent and underwhelming.
The Galaxy S25 Ultra offers improved camera capabilities and battery life, but lacks groundbreaking innovations compared to previous models.